One year ago, my friend and student Martha Choy mentioned herdream of study in Japan. The more we talked about it the more real it became.Investigation found that there are several short term bonsai studypossibilities available. Start time is very flexible, and cost isreasonable.

Many Folks have gone to Japan to study, Thebenefits to their clubs and the bonsai community have been huge. With the advice and help of Mr. Peter Tea, she has chosen the amazing nursery of Junichiro Tanaka...Achien.

Here is the proposal:

We will support Martha Choy withfundraising to go to Japan to study in March 2013. To date 3000 dollars have been pledged by the bonsai community.

What is the cost of a short term apprenticeship inJapan, I’m sure you are wondering? 300, 000 yen.That include 3 meals and accommodations and tuition, everything. Add somefor travel expense and it comes to a bit more than $4000.

So...Who is Martha Choy?1 Very unique. She is Crazy aboutbonsai. She is a devoted mother and a wife. Her family is completelybehind this endeavour.

2 She is a Mexican citizen. Which gives this aninternational angle, two clubs to support her, two countries. She travels to the USA multiple times a month to study bonsai currently. She has been involvedmany years- here and in Mexico. She has led her local club as president. She speaks Spanish, English and is takingclasses in Japanese. Language will be no barrier.

3. She is a hard worker; I believe she will havethe stamina for the hard work as an apprentice in Japan. I’ve seen her inaction many times, she is the perfect candidate, she is tireless, strong, and willingto do anything asked of her.

Lastly what in it for us? We get:

1. Pride to have sent one of ourown to be trained, we are proud to havehelped someone who is such a good and caring person.

2. The knowledge she brings backwill be unmatched. Many of the recentimprovements to the Bonsai community have been due to students bringing backknowledge learned as apprentices of Bonsaiteacher in Japan.So I am proud to give to Martha and wish her wellon her bonsai adventure.

Martha now has a website and a blog. She has promised to keep us updated withinteresting tidbits from Japan while she is there. Cant wait.

Would you please go to her site and make a little donation. She is currently around a 1000 short of hergoal with a month to go. Any little bitwould really help. All donations will benoted on her donor page, and will have the gratitude of this special Lady.

I wish to thank all of you that helped to sponsor me to study Bonsai to Japan. I am very excited for all your comments and support, especially for the confidence you all have in me. For me, Bonsai is not only the design and growth of trees but embodies a whole culture and lifestyle. Permitting me to go to Japan leaves me in direct contact with the culture, people and Bonsai. This allows me to become an importer of the new techniques and procedures from firsthand Bonsai artists. Upon my return, I pledge to share with all of you my experience and hopefully participate actively in Bonsai activities for years to come.